Saturday Memory: Do You Ever Feel Like a Misfit Toy?

Of course you remember this scene from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It is probably the one most of us relate to, even if we don’t have had a red nose.

In the original version, there was no follow up visit to the Island of Misfit Toys.

Viewers were so taken by the forlorn Misfit Toys that many complained Santa was not seen fulfilling his promise to include them in his annual delivery. In reaction, a new scene for subsequent rebroadcasts was produced with Santa making his first stop at the Island to pick up the toys. This is the ending that has been shown on all telecasts and video releases ever since. However, to make room, several sequences were deleted: the instrumental bridge from “We Are Santa’s Elves” featuring the elf orchestra, Rudolph & Hermey’s duet reprise of “We’re a Couple of Misfits,” additional dialogue by Burl Ives, and the “Peppermint Mine” scene resolving the fate of Yukon Cornelius. A new duet, “Fame and Fortune,” was shot for the revised version and put in place of “We’re a Couple of Misfits.” The special’s 1998 restoration saw “Misfits” returned to its original film context, while the 2004 DVD release showcases “Fame and Fortune” as a separate number.

That’s pretty powerful – and explains why the scene resonates with people so deeply. We all feel alone and unloved at times, a feeling that can be exacerbated by the holidays. Even being with others who are alone does not feel the same as fulfilling our purpose.

How are you having an impact on your neighbors who feel like misfit toys?

Note: this is our final post for November NaBloPoMo. We had so much fun that we decided to sign up for December. Can we maintain our momentum and end up with over 90 days of continuous posting? Watch and see …